I have heard it said that, “everyone learns from experience, but it doesn’t have to be your own experience.”

This is essentially the situation written about in Zechariah 1. Zechariah, who was a prophet during the time the Jews were allowed to return to Israel after the Babylonian captivity, was given a message to deliver to the Jews. In verses 4-6 he says, “Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’ Where are your ancestors now? They and the prophets are long dead. But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said.”

Essentially, God was saying, “learn from someone else’s mistakes, so you can avoid the consequences that they experienced.” We can read Bible history and see the consequences of disregarding God’s direction, and we can see these things in more recent history, as well. We should be using these lessons as guidance to keep us on the right path.

Dear Lord, You provide us many examples from which to learn, in the bible and in modern times. Help us take these lessons to heart so that we avoid the problems others have made for wrong choices, and experience the blessings of following those good examples. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Repent…..John the Baptist preached it “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand”

What does Repent really mean? In Matthew 3:8 John said “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” Repenting is our recognition of our sins, and our sincere apology that we cannot consistently obey God and overcome our sins and temptation to sin. We need to continuously remember this, and at the same time rejoice and be grateful for the Grace of Jesus who took the entire blame and punishment for our sins.

The acknowledgment of repenting makes the blessing of forgiveness so much more personal and powerful.

It is like pleading guilty, being sentenced to life in prison without parole then immediately being pardoned and celebrating freedom.

This is the Joy of Salvation!

Dear Lord Jesus our Savior we repent of our sins and our sinful nature. Thank you for saving us from the misery we deserve and giving us the peace of forgiveness and Salvation. Amen.

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You have probably heard this expression. If not, the point is that you have more success persuading and influencing someone if you are nice.

Paul talks about using a similar approach with people. In 2 Timothy 2:25,26 Paul writes, Be humble when you are trying to teach those who are mixed up concerning the truth. For if you talk meekly and courteously to them, they are more likely, with God’s help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true. Then they will come to their senses and escape from Satan’s trap of slavery to sin, which he uses to catch them whenever he likes, and then they can begin doing the will of God.”

When we are discussing scripture and doctrine with others, we need to be patient and kind. We are not alone, God is working on them as well. Our message may not be accepted at the time, but we may be one step in their path to the Lord.

Dear Lord, help us have the confidence to present your word to others, courteously, as Paul says. Help us realize that we don’t need to “win” the argument, just present your truth as we understand it. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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The Old Testament tells the similar account over and over again of how God’s people followed Him and things were good for them, then they became distracted, turned away from God, became self-centered, and their situations fell apart. A prophet or leader would bring them back to God, and things were good again. This theme continues over and over throughout the Bible, and arguably throughout history to this day.

One of the prophets through whom God spoke was Isaiah. In Isaiah 30:18 Isaiah says “Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love; He will conquer you and bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them.” The NIV version puts it this way, “..the Lord longs to be gracious to you”

Think of it like this. Your favorite store is giving away merchandise to anyone who shows up and asks; no charge; no fine print. However, they are not advertising or promoting the event, you have to show up to find out. That is what God is telling us. God is just waiting there for us to come to Him, and he will show us His love and blessing.

Dear Lord, Help us understand and appreciate that you are always there, waiting for us to come to you in faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

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If you have read many self-improvement books, you have probably come across a concept that is instrumental in helping achieve earthly success, that being the belief in a world of abundance. The concept is that there is abundance for all who believe it is possible, and that believing in limits to abundance is a self-fulfilling limit on our success.

In a similar way Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” The Living Bible translation writes it like this, “My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” Clearly Jesus is talking about more than just our life on earth. We know our entire faith is based on the eternal life we have in Jesus Christ. I think, however, He also intends to bring an abundant life of peace, joy and hope here on earth to those who believe and put their trust in Him.

We can put limits on this abundant life, if we choose to, or we can have the abundant life God promises if we believe.

Dear Lord, thank you for the promise of an abundant life. Help us to truly believe your promise and live our lives expecting and grateful for this abundance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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